ARISTOCRATS OF THE GARDEN By Ernest H. Wilson Boston, Massachusetts: The Stratford Company, Publishers, 1926. First edition thus, first printing. Originally published in a limited edition in 1917, and in 1932 published as a two volume set, this high-quality 1926 edition is complete in one volume. Enhanced with twenty-seven striking photographs on quality black-and-white plates. Wilson draws on his own expertise and his experiences from his numerous expeditions to China and Japan collecting exotic plants and trees to export to American soil. Intended for garden clubs as a guide to highly lauded and desirous trees, plants, shrubs and flowers, Wilson offers descriptions and explains growing difficulties, origins, scarcities, blooming qualities, varieties, American current locations, botanical tidbits, and more. Included are lilies, roses, climbing shrubs, ornamental fruited trees and shrubs, flowering trees and shrubs, evergreens, rhododendrons, and more. Faint finger-tip size soil spot to rear cover, lower spine end lightly bumped, vintage former owner's name to inside front cover, else very good plus in green linen with gilt titles embossed to the front cover, and with slightly tarnished gilt embossed titles and floral illustration to the spine, upper page edges gilt; no dust jacket. Lovely and presentable. Octavo; 312 pages; index. A significant botanical history book. FREE SHIPPING TO THE USA PLEASE VIEW OUR STORE FOR MORE GREAT VINTAGE BOOKS THANKS!